December 2019: Luxury News
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November 15, 2019
January 2020: Luxury News
February 3, 2020
1. Kerala billionaire opens luxury Scotland Yard hotel after Rs 512 cr makeover
AKLC COMMENT(S): Amazing 🙂
LuLu Group purchased the property in 2015 for Rs 1,025 crore
The LuLu Group, headed by Kerala-born NRI entrepreneur M.A. Yusuff Ali, has completed investments of 300 million pounds in the UK with the launch of its new Great Scotland Yard Hotel in London, within the premises of the old headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.
LuLu had acquired the property in the heart of London’s Whitehall area near Trafalgar Square and Downing Street in 2015 for Rs 1,025 crore and further invested Rs 512 crore towards its makeover into a luxury hotel.
Article link: https://www.theweek.in/news/biz-tech/2019/12/06/kerala-billionaire-opens-luxury-scotland-yard-hotel-after-rs-512-makeover.html
2. Reliance Brands in talks to acquire Versace Franchise
AKLC COMMENT(S): Luxury segment in India is only getting stronger & stronger!
Reliance Brands is in talks to take over the India franchisee rights of luxury fashion label Versace, and the company is signing a deal to sell products of another Italian luxury brand Valentino in India.
NEW DELHI: RelianceNSE -1.73 % Brands is in talks to take over the India franchisee rights of luxury fashion label Versace, and the company is signing a deal to sell products of another Italian luxury brand Valentino in India, adding heft to its top-end brands portfolio, according to three persons familiar with the development.
3.Rolls-Royce and RED Teamed Up to Create a Bespoke Phantom to Help Fight AIDs
The premier carmaker is auctioning off a rare special-edition Phantom for the charity.
Going once. Going twice. Going…not so fast. Art aficionados have until December 13 to bid on a stunning, bespoke Rolls-Royce Red Phantom that’s being auctioned-off to benefit the global AIDS charity (RED).
Unveiled earlier this week at Art Basel Miami Beach, the red-themed Phantom is the result of a collaboration with acclaimed contemporary African-American artist Mickalene Thomas.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/rolls-royce-bespoke-red-phantom-heads-to-aids-fighting-auction-2885214/
4.Samsung ‘The Wall’ Displays Launched in India, Starting From a Whopping Rs. 3.5 Crores
AKLC COMMENT(S): Woww
Samsung is hoping to sell 25 to 30 units of these displays by 2020, raking up revenue up to $12 million (roughly Rs. 85.52 crores), the company said.
If you love to watch movies or sports on big screens, think of bigger ones now as South Korean technology giant Samsung on Thursday in India introduced its modular MicroLED display “The Wall” that can stretch your imagination with its 146-inch, 219-inch, 292-inch screen sizes, costing you anywhere between Rs. 3.5 crores to Rs. 12 crores, excluding taxes
Article link: https://gadgets.ndtv.com/tv/news/samsung-the-wall-pro-luxury-price-in-india-rs-3-5-crores-availability-2144018
5. L’Oréal: News release: “Prada and L’Oréal announce the signing of a long-term license agreement”
AKLC COMMENT(S): Two great leaders coming together! This is the marriage of two experts.
Prada S.p.A. and L’Oréal announce the signing of a long-term license agreement for the creation, development and distribution of luxury beauty products for the Prada brand. This agreement will allow the two companies to combine their expertise in each of their own sectors.
Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of Prada S.p.A.: “L’Oréal is the leading global beauty company. Its position and experience makes it the ideal partner for Prada to develop its full potential across a variety of new projects, leverage Prada’s well-established fragrance identity and reach even more audiences around the world.”
6. THE NEW APPLE MAC PRO COMPUTER CAN COST MORE THAN A TESLA CYBERTRUCK—IS IT WORTH IT?
AKLC COMMENT(S): Do you this so too? Anyway, good luck to Apple
The new Apple Mac Pro hit the tech news headlines this week for two reasons: undisputed levels of power and an eye-wateringly overwhelming price tag.
The computer, which became available to buy Tuesday, is advertised with a base price of $5,999, but as commentators note, the top configuration will actually set you back over $52,000. And that’s before you add the “Pro” monitor or “Pro” stand, which will cost an additional $6,000.
Article link: https://www.newsweek.com/apple-mac-pro-price-tesla-cybertruck-impressions-computer-1476890
7. Louis Vuitton’s League Of Legends Capsule Collection With Riot Games Is Now Available
AKLC COMMENT(S): Strong enougth to try any innovation! But, innovation has no boundaries!
Furthering its partnership with Riot Games‘ League of Legends, Louis Vuitton has launched a capsule collection in honor of the game, designed by the Artistic Director of Women’s Collections, Nicolas Ghesquière. The collection touts both elements from the League of Legends world and Ghesquière’s personal vision/inspiration, following the Prestige skins that he created for the characters Qiyana and Senna, which will be revealed next month.
Article link: https://hauteliving.com/2019/12/louis-vuitton-league-legends-capsule/677225/
8. Riot partners with Louis Vuitton for luxury clothing line — get a Qiyana shirt for $670
When earlier this year Riot Games announced a partnership with Louis Vuitton for the World Championship trophy case, many wondered how far this partnership would go. Then followed True Damage: a prestige skin for Qiyana designed by Louis Vuitton. Today the collaboration took another step: Louis Vuitton launched a unique League of Legends clothing line.
As expected from the French luxury brand, the apparel doesn’t come cheap. For a short sleeve shirt with Qiyana printed on it you’ll have to pay $670 USD. The cheapest item of the series is a diamond bracelet, sitting at a comfortable $345 . If you’re feeling like flexing your wallet and want to purchase the most expensive item, you’ll have to add the $5,650 leather biker jacket to your shopping cart.
Article link: https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/9902/riot-partners-with-louis-vuitton-for-luxury-clothing-line-get-a-qiyana-shirt-for-670
9. Christie’s Brings the Hammer Down on the New Luxury With Its Largest Supreme Auction Ever
Famed auction house Christie’s is currently auctioning off its largest collection of Supreme ever. Launched under the title Handbags X HYPE, the Supreme items are featured alongside the most comprehensive selection of limited-edition handbags ever presented at auction.
The auction represents a significant moment in the house’s 253-year history. Christie’s expert curation of Supreme product alongside some of the world’s most valuable handbags imbues the New York brand’s product offering with a sense of provenance and collectability that sits comfortably next to pieces crafted by legendary French houses.
Article link: https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/christies-supreme-auction/
10. Gucci Targets China’s Tier Two Cities
AKLC COMMENT(S): Amazing! This was bound to happen
Kering said its strategy is to tap on the network it’s already built in top-tier cities while opening new stores in so-called tier 2 cities.
BEIJING, China — China may have helped create the world’s biggest shopping event online, but for Gucci’s owner, physical stores are still the way to go in the most populous country.
A total of 14 new outlets are being planned for five of its brands across six Chinese cities including Dalian and Wuhan, according a note published by Kering SA, which also owns Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent. Kering has been expanding its product offerings in the country since the Gucci opened its doors in Shanghai in 1997, the first retail location in mainland China. The brand now has about 50 stores.
Articlelink: https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/news-analysis/gucci-targets-chinas-tier-two-cities
11. BMW aims to double EV sales by 2021
AKLC COMMENT(S): Feels great to hear this!
BMW is aiming to offer wider drivetrain options to the customers across its model range.
New Delhi: In its bid to electrify the portfolio, German luxury carmaker has announced the target of doubling the sales of electric vehicles by 2021. The automaker also claims that it already has half a million electrified models on roads.
Not only the EVs, but the company is also aggressive with its electrified vehicles as well. As it claims, by 2021, one-fourth of the total vehicles sold in Europe will be electrified, while the number will become one third by 2025 and half in 2030. Currently, BMW has a total of 12 electrified vehicles in its portfolio.
Article link: https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/cars/bmw-aims-to-double-ev-sales-by-2021/72884881
12. This New Luxury Hotel in Times Square Will Offer 30 ‘Ball Drop Suites’ to Watch New Year’s Eve Unfold
AKLC COMMENT(S): woww! Adding this to our 2020 agenda! 😉
You just have to wait till 2022.
Every year, more than a million people flock to Times Square to witness the ball drop and ring in the New Year. But if you’d rather not deal with the crowds and confetti—around 3,000 pounds of the stuff is dispersed on the colorful occasion—one new luxury hotel offers unparalleled views of the excitement while keeping you in five-star comfort. Well, it will do, once it opens in 2022.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/tsx-broadway-times-square-nye-2888598/
13. The Prototype for Ferrari’s Revered F50 Is Heading to Auction Next Month
This specific F50 was used to refine every aspect of the dazzling sports car.
Ask any car collector and they’ll admit to having a dream car, that one vehicle that stands above all else. Now, imagine not just owning that car but the very first version of it ever produced. Deep-pocketed Ferrari enthusiasts will soon have that chance when the 1995 Ferrari F50 Berlinetta Prototipo goes up for auction.
Next month, the pre-production prototype of one of the Italian automaker’s most revered cars is set to hit the block at Worldwide Auctioneer’s annual Scottsdale sale. Considered the “most significant road-going F50 in existence,” the car was built to help refine every aspect of the dazzling sports car before it went on sale.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/ferrari-f50-prototype-auction-scottsdale-2888440/
14. The 2010s Were the Decade Luxury & Streetwear Became One
AKLC COMMENT(S): So True!! Couldn’t agree more
The 2010s were the decade of streetwear.
While the brands that defined it started in earlier years, the last 10 saw a shadow of the fashion industry eclipse our definitions of dress. Streetwear now touches all parts of fashion: casual wear, athletic wear, and, perhaps most surprising, the world of luxury.What was once just for street kids now lands on runways. What was once banned at clubs is the new club uniform. “Luxury sneakers” are Exhibit A: from contradiction to conqueror, the past decade has led to a world where Dior x Nike Air Jordan 1s are just exceptional, and not the exception.
Article link: https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/luxury-streetwear-2010s/
15.Gucci is 2019 Luxury Marketer of the Year
AKLC COMMENT(S): Well deserved Gucci
Italian fashion label Gucci is Luxury Daily’s 2019 Luxury Marketer of the Year for its deft outreach to emerging generations of luxury buyers. Gucci, along with runners’-up Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., has effectively courted Gen Z and millennial clientele this year through design and marketing that caters to consumers’ changing tastes and lifestyles. These three brands have successfully adapted to stay relevant and reach new demographics while maintaining their luxury positioning and prestige.
Article link: https://www.luxurydaily.com/gucci-is-2019-luxury-marketer-of-the-year/
16. Instagram wants to be a matchmaker between influencers and brands
The platform is facilitating brand-influencer partnerships and opening up performance data to drive more ad dollars and engagement.
Instagram is getting more involved in influencer marketing, an industry it helped create.
Starting today, the image-sharing app is testing a tool that helps brands find influencers, or “creators” as Instagram calls them, to partner with. Called the Brand Collabs Manager, the tool has been in use by parent company Facebook since 2018.
Article link: https://www.voguebusiness.com/companies/instagram-influencer-marketing-facebook-brand-collabs-manager
17. This is how much The Queen spends on Christmas gifts every year
AKLC COMMENT(S): Interesting
Queen Elizabeth II apparently has a festive season bill of royal proportions.
When it comes to Christmas celebrations, The Queen is never one to do things half-heartedly. Traditionally, The Queen invites the royal family for an annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace—before her customary trip to Sandringham for a festive season sojourn—the delectable Christmas feast marking just the beginning of the monarch’s Yuletide generosity.
Article link: https://www.vogue.in/whats-new/content/queen-elizabeth-ii-christmas-gifts-spends-this-much
18. Is this the world’s most expensive airline ticket?
AKLC COMMENT(S): Wow! Wish to experience it soon.
Etihad Airways: Use The Residence for more than a comfortable flying experience
It’s called The Residence for a reason. It’s a three room set: a living room, a bedroom and a bathroom. What’s so great about that you might think. Well, this little studio apartment is on Etihad Airways. So if you’re on a long haul flight, you might want to consider this one at a cost of AED 63,550 (Rs 12.40 lakh one way) from AUH to NYC.
Article link: https://www.theman.in/whats-hot/most-expensive-ticket-etihad-airways-a-380-.html
19. How Brands Can Remain Relevant In Today’s Service Economy
AKLC COMMENT(S): Very true! Must read
With the rise of the service economy, many people are forgoing ownership and becoming increasingly reliant on services and intermediaries to get them from point A to point B (sometimes literally). Moreover, the servicification of brands is no longer exclusive to major cities. Having lived in the world of brand building for more than two decades, I have traveled extensively and interacted with brands at every level in myriad cultures and societies. I’ve observed that whether they’re in haute cuisine or fashion, many smart brands today are thinking like service brands. As we enter what appears to be the golden age of service brands, what can we learn from brands that are doing it right?
20. Experience India’s Best Luxury Cruises of 2019
AKLC COMMENT(S): Wow
In the modern dictionary, the word ‘seasick’ has two meanings. The first ‘seasick’ is nausea caused due to the motions while you’re onboard a ship. The second ailment is because you miss the sea terribly; like the salty smell of the beaches, the rhythmic music of the waves, and the calming sight of blue waters. This sort of seasickness can only be cured by hopping onto a sea-bound vehicle and immersing yourself in the offerings of the ocean.
If you fall into the latter category, then this article is for you. We present to you the easiest way to sail through your holidays, courtesy luxury cruise stays that let you experience the delights of the deep sea.
Articlelink: https://www.thehansindia.com/life-style/travel/experience-indias-best-luxury-cruises-of-2019-592345
21. Here are some of the most expensive things bought by celebrities in 2019
Celebrities are everything you and I want to be. They look great at all times, have an entourage of people taking care of their every need, they can buy the things you and me can barely afford to window shop and have thousands of fans adoring their every move. With all that fame and power, comes an ample load of money that they work for round-the-clock. But once the hard work is done, it’s never a bad time to indulge and pick up some shiny new things the world has to offer. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call our celebrities the modern-day royalty. 2019 was a really successful year for the entertainment industry. While Virat Kohli toppled over Salman Khan to occupy the first rank on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, the annual income of even the last person on that list is probably more than what some people make in a lifetime. Owning luxurious doesn’t even burn a hole in your favourite celebrity’s pocket. And so, here’s a list of the most expensive things Indian celebrities bought in 2019.
22. Hyatt plans to open 11 new hotels in India by 2020 end
AKLC COMMENT(S): Awesome
The Chicago-headquartered firm currently has 32 hotels across 20 destinations under its eight brands in India. The eight brands under the Hyatt portfolio in India are — Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Al…
NEW DELHI: Global hospitality firm Hyatt Hotels Corporation is looking to open 11 new hotels across India by the end of 2020 as part of its expansion plans in the country, a senior company official has said.
The Chicago-headquartered firm currently has 32 hotels across 20 destinations under its eight brands in India. The eight brands under the Hyatt portfolio in India are — Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Alila and Andaz.
